Erling Fossen
@oslourban.bsky.social
Oslopolitan dedicated to making the world a better place by strengthening our cities
Marseille observations 1. Marseille has been developing 480 hectares of the former port area since 1995, adding a new layer to the old city. One crucial question remains: Will they manage to integrate the "new" city into the old urban fabric? So far the answer is NO @brenttoderian.bsky.social
November 1, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Marseille observations 1. Marseille has been developing 480 hectares of the former port area since 1995, adding a new layer to the old city. One crucial question remains: Will they manage to integrate the "new" city into the old urban fabric? So far the answer is NO @brenttoderian.bsky.social
22 of Oslos finest urbanists recently visited Marseille. Observations will follow @zelandmark.bsky.social
October 10, 2025 at 9:58 AM
22 of Oslos finest urbanists recently visited Marseille. Observations will follow @zelandmark.bsky.social
Naples observations 5: In Quarteri Spagnoli, the average width of the streets is 3 meters only. Not exactly fire-friendly, but it creates miracles for street life. The entire area is 0.8 km², and is inhabited by 14,000 people, stretching uphill. #urbanism+ @brenttoderian.bsky.social
September 9, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Naples observations 5: In Quarteri Spagnoli, the average width of the streets is 3 meters only. Not exactly fire-friendly, but it creates miracles for street life. The entire area is 0.8 km², and is inhabited by 14,000 people, stretching uphill. #urbanism+ @brenttoderian.bsky.social
Naples observations 4: Naples metro stations are like the rest of the city; it goes from heaven to hell in the blink of an eye. The stations range from Toledo - the most beautiful metro station in Europe, to the station at Centro direzionale di Napoli #Urbanist+ @brenttoderian.bsky.social
September 7, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Naples observations 4: Naples metro stations are like the rest of the city; it goes from heaven to hell in the blink of an eye. The stations range from Toledo - the most beautiful metro station in Europe, to the station at Centro direzionale di Napoli #Urbanist+ @brenttoderian.bsky.social
Naples Observations 3: One of the characteristic features of Naples is the dark Vesuvian paving stone. The surface is not always natural; on some stretches, the dings and impressions come from hammers and chisels to create a less slippery surface when wet. Drinking in the rain is hazardous.
September 5, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Naples Observations 3: One of the characteristic features of Naples is the dark Vesuvian paving stone. The surface is not always natural; on some stretches, the dings and impressions come from hammers and chisels to create a less slippery surface when wet. Drinking in the rain is hazardous.
Naples observations 2: Diego Maradona is still the God of Naples. When Naples won their first Serie A Championship in may 1987 the city exploded: "May 1987, the other Italy has been defeated. A new empire is born". Poor south have beaten the rich north (Juventus, Milan, Inter).
September 4, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Naples observations 2: Diego Maradona is still the God of Naples. When Naples won their first Serie A Championship in may 1987 the city exploded: "May 1987, the other Italy has been defeated. A new empire is born". Poor south have beaten the rich north (Juventus, Milan, Inter).
Naples observations 1: On his italian journey, Goethe said Naples was "paradise populated with devils. Few cities have bigger contrast between rich and poor, the beautiful and the ugly. The multitude is Naples biggest asset: Behind every trace of present poverty there is a glimpse of past wealth
September 4, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Naples observations 1: On his italian journey, Goethe said Naples was "paradise populated with devils. Few cities have bigger contrast between rich and poor, the beautiful and the ugly. The multitude is Naples biggest asset: Behind every trace of present poverty there is a glimpse of past wealth
LA Observations 4: Where are all the people in LA after dark when nobody walks the streets? Universal Studios Hollywood, of course. Privatized fun when real life is too dangerous.
May 16, 2025 at 7:19 PM
LA Observations 4: Where are all the people in LA after dark when nobody walks the streets? Universal Studios Hollywood, of course. Privatized fun when real life is too dangerous.
LA Observations 3. People that use the metro rail in LA are either mad, bad or from out of town. We took the B-line from North Hollywood to Union Square during rush hour (empty) and the E-line in peak hour Saturday from Santa Monica to Little Tokyo (almost empty, exept from tourists and homeless).
March 24, 2025 at 6:31 PM
LA Observations 3. People that use the metro rail in LA are either mad, bad or from out of town. We took the B-line from North Hollywood to Union Square during rush hour (empty) and the E-line in peak hour Saturday from Santa Monica to Little Tokyo (almost empty, exept from tourists and homeless).
LA observations:
2. Downtown is dead. Even the monumental City Hall is surrounded with homeless camps. LA is a doughnut, nothing in the middle, surrounded with the good stuff. There are small pockets with urban life - like Little Tokyo - but try to walk down town by night. If you dare.
2. Downtown is dead. Even the monumental City Hall is surrounded with homeless camps. LA is a doughnut, nothing in the middle, surrounded with the good stuff. There are small pockets with urban life - like Little Tokyo - but try to walk down town by night. If you dare.
March 23, 2025 at 10:24 AM
LA observations:
2. Downtown is dead. Even the monumental City Hall is surrounded with homeless camps. LA is a doughnut, nothing in the middle, surrounded with the good stuff. There are small pockets with urban life - like Little Tokyo - but try to walk down town by night. If you dare.
2. Downtown is dead. Even the monumental City Hall is surrounded with homeless camps. LA is a doughnut, nothing in the middle, surrounded with the good stuff. There are small pockets with urban life - like Little Tokyo - but try to walk down town by night. If you dare.
Here are some observations from my trip to Los Angeles:
1. LA is not a city; it is a suburban agglomeration. No readable structures, no principles for densification. Around every corner, you can find suburban residential areas. If you walk, you are either "mad, bad or from outer town".
1. LA is not a city; it is a suburban agglomeration. No readable structures, no principles for densification. Around every corner, you can find suburban residential areas. If you walk, you are either "mad, bad or from outer town".
March 22, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Here are some observations from my trip to Los Angeles:
1. LA is not a city; it is a suburban agglomeration. No readable structures, no principles for densification. Around every corner, you can find suburban residential areas. If you walk, you are either "mad, bad or from outer town".
1. LA is not a city; it is a suburban agglomeration. No readable structures, no principles for densification. Around every corner, you can find suburban residential areas. If you walk, you are either "mad, bad or from outer town".